Francois Richard

François Richard, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Role of cyclic nucleotides in ovarian function
  • Role of cyclic nucleotides in mitchondrial function
  • Genomic and epigenomic

My research program investigates the oocyte, better known as “ovule”, but in its immature state. Our team is especially interested in cell signalling since it plays a primordial role in the gamete’s maturation. Even more specifically, we investigate the role of cyclic nucleotide enzyme degradation, namely phosphodiesterases (PDEs). We have made interesting discovering by identifying new families of PDEs found in cumulus cells, some of which seem to be regulated through their association with membrane lipids of the raft family and others which are very sensitive to cAMP regulation.  We are also interested in understanding the dialogue between cumulus cells and the oocyte. We have developed a tools for the functional evaluation of cumulus cells’ response by measuring “Gap junction communication” using fluorophores and photobleaching. Thanks to this approach, we are among world leaders involved in demonstrating the high level of regulation of gap junctions during in vitro maturation. We are very active in our efforts to better understand this regulation. Because energy levels play a decisive role in the oocyte future, we study the KAMP metabolic switch.  We demonstrated the critical impact of this switch at various levels. We also have knowledge transfer projects in collaboration with the industry involved with male and female gametes. Finally, a better understanding of signalling will result in better conditions.

Members of the laboratory

Tiphanie Mérel, MSc
PhD student
tiphanie.merel.1@ulaval.ca

Amel Lounas, MSc
PhD student
amel.lounas.1@ulaval.ca

Publications

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Nicolas Pilon, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Neural crest cell development in health and disease
  • Molecular genetics of sex determination
  • Sex-based differences in nervous system development

Studies in the Pilon’s lab are focused on neurocristopathies, a group of rare genetic diseases in which problems with neural crest cells play a central role. This particular stem cell population generates many different cell types including, among others: peripheral neurons and glia, melanocytes, craniofacial osteoblasts and chondrocytes as well as some specialized cell types of the heart and the inner ear. Because of this large number of derivatives, distinct structures/cell types (isolated or in combination) are affected in each neurocristopathy.

Interestingly, many neurocristopathies also exhibit sex-related issues as seen in Hirschsprung disease (male sex bias in disease incidence) and CHARGE syndrome (subfertility and male-to-female sex reversal). Using mouse models and tissues from human patients, our goal is to decipher the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these diseases with a special focus on their respective sex-related issues.

In the course of our work on neural crest cells, we also developed an interest for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This interest comes from the incidental generation of a new mouse model via insertional mutagenesis of a previously uncharacterized gene that we are now characterizing in detail.

Members of the laboratory

Alassane Gary, MSc
PhD student
alassanegary@yahoo.ca

Baptiste Charrier,MSc
PhD student
bap.charrier@gmail.com

Elizabeth Leduc, MSc
PhD student
Leduc.elizabeth@courrier.uqam.ca

Marie Lefèvre, MSc
PhD student
Lefevre.marie@courrier.uqam.ca

Mohammad Reza Omrani, MSc
PhD student
omrani.mohammad_reza@courrier.uqam.ca

Nejia Lassoued, MSc
PhD student
nejia_lassoued11@yahoo.fr

Sandrine Girard, BSc
MSc student
Girard.sandrine.3@courrier.uqam.ca

Sanaa Tork, MSc
PhD student
sanaa_t@hotmail.com

Sephora Sallis, MSc
PhD student
Sallis.sephora@courrier.uqam.ca

Sherin Nawaito, PhD
Postdoc fellow
nowatto@gmail.com

Benoit Grondin, PhD
Research associate
b.grondin1@gmail.com

Ouliana Souchkova, MSc
Research assistant
souchkova.ouliana@gmail.com

Rodolphe Soret, PhD
Research associate
rode440@gmail.com

Tatiana Cardinal, PhD
Research associate
cardinal.tatiana@uqam.ca

Publications

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Cristian O’Flaherty, DVM, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Redox signalling and oxidative stress in male reproduction
  • Andrology
  • Gut microbiota and male reproduction

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that drive the production of mature spermatozoa and their modulation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The oxidative stress can damage spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, leading to increased defects in the sperm genetic information, motility machinery and the acquisition of fertilizing ability by the spermatozoon. On the other hand, when ROS are produced in low and physiological conditions, they trigger and modulate signalling events that allow the spermatozoon to have fertilizing competence. We are also interested in the relationships between the gut microbiome and male reproduction.

Areas of research:

1) The molecular mechanisms driven by lipid signalling to allow the production of ROS and regulate sperm capacitation.

2) Redox protein modifications in the antioxidant response in mammalian spermatozoa. ROS promote oxidative modifications (thiol oxidation, tyrosine

3) Impact of gut microbiota on the health and disease of the male reproductive system and how gut microbiota can be manipulated to improve male fertility.

Our research is funded by CIHR and the MI4-Pathy Family Foundation.

Members of the laboratory

Elizabeth Pranov
BSc student (Honours program)
elizabeth.pranov@mail.mcgill.ca

Chika Onochie
MSc candidate
chika.onochie@mail.mcgill.ca

Steven Serafini
PhD candidate
steven.serafini@mail.mcgill.ca

Publications

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Hugh J. Clarke, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Growth and meiotic maturation of the oocyte
  • Communication between the growing oocyte and its follicular niche
  • In vitro systems that support oocyte growth and maturation

Prior to ovulation and fertilization, oocytes undergo a prolonged phase of growth within the ovarian follicle, during which they accumulate macromolecules and organelles that will sustain and direct early embryonic development, followed by a brief phase termed meiotic maturation, coincident with ovulation, and during which they complete the first and prepare for the second meiotic division. Growth and maturation of the oocyte are indispensable prerequisites in order to produce a healthy embryo after fertilization. Our lab focuses on three questions:

  1. How do growing oocytes establish and maintain communication with the neighbouring somatic cells of the ovarian follicle? This communication is essential for normal oocyte development. We have found that factors secreted by the oocyte induce the neighbouring somatic cells to extend filopodia to the oocyte, enabling communication lines to be established. Current work focuses on the molecular mechanism of this filopodial formation and on their fate during meiotic maturation.
  2. How do growing and maturing oocytes regulate mRNA translation? Many mRNAs synthesize by growing oocytes remain translationally silent until they are activated for translation during meiotic maturation. We are studying the mechanisms by which this translational control is exerted, and whether abnormal regulation of mRNA translational activation may contribute to the poor quality of in vitro-matured oocytes.
  3. Can healthy oocytes be grown in vitro? There is considerable clinical interest in developing culture systems that support oocyte growth in vitro. Systems developed to date, however, produce a very low yield of healthy oocytes. Using 3-dimensional matrices developed to model tumour growth, we are testing whether these can support the growth and development of healthy oocytes.

Members of the laboratory

Karen Freire Carvalho, MSc
PhD student
karen.carvalho@mail.mcgill.ca

Qin Yang, PhD
Research associate
yangqin2006@gmail.com

Publications

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Daniel J. Bernard, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Transcriptional regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis
  • Mechanisms of GnRH action
  • Molecular mechanisms of IGSF1-deficiency syndrome

The Bernard’s lab investigates molecular mechanisms of pituitary hormone synthesis using in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Research in the lab concerns:

1) signal transduction mechanisms through which members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily regulate pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis,

2) mechanisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling in pituitary gonadotrope cells.

3) hypothalamic-pituitary control of thyroid hormone production.

Members of the laboratory

Evan Buddle, BSc
Master student
evan.buddle@mail.mcgill.ca

Hailey Schultz, MSc
PhD student
Hailey.scultz@mail.mcgill.ca

Mary Loka, BSc
PhD student
mary.loka@mail.mcgill.ca

Yangfan Jin, BSc
PhD student
yangfan.jin@mail.mcgill.ca

Yeu-Farn (Claire) Lin, MSc
PhD student
Yeu-farn.lin@mail.mcgill.ca

Luisina Ongaro, PhD
Research associate
luisina.ongarogambino@mcgill.ca

Xiang Zhou, MSc
Laboratory technician
xiang.zhou3@mcgill.ca

Ying Wang, BSc
Laboratory technician
ying.wang5@mcgill.ca

Publications

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Eric Asselin, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Uterine and ovarian biology, physiology and endocrinology
  • Hormone-dependent cancers of the female reproductive system
  • Animal models and transgenesis

Dr. Asselin’s research laboratory is interested understanding the regulation of cell survival and cell death in the context of embryo implantation, endometrial decidualization and in pathological conditions such as chemoresistance in gynecological cancers (endometrial and ovarian). More precisely, his laboratory has been actively investigating the PI-3K/Akt pathway in this context. Animal models, transgenic mouse human biopsies, cell lines are used in his laboratory to study this signaling pathway at the cellular and molecular level. His laboratory include 4 PhD students and 2 MSc students. For the last 24 years, he has trained more than 85 undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. His group has published more than 98 publications in peer-review international scientific journals, with a citation impact factor of 49 (H factor, goggle scholar). He was recipient of a FRQS chercheur-boursier, a CIHR New Investigator Award and the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Gyneco-oncology from 2006 to 2016.

Members of the laboratory

Pascal Adam, MSc
PhD student
pascal.adam@uqtr.ca

François Fabi
PhD student

Dadou Lokengo
PhD student

Junie Chansi, MSc
PhD student
junye3@gmail.com

Keven Vincent
MSc student

Laurence Tardif
MSc student

Sophie Parent
Lab manager

Publications

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